Buyer Database · Sales Agent · Updated

HanWay Films

HanWay Films actively handles international sales for high-concept, star-driven prestige features, with CEO Gabrielle Stewart publicly championing barrier-breaking original projects at major markets including AFM.

Current mandate

HanWay Films is currently positioned as the international sales arm for independently financed, high-concept features with strong star attachments and awards-season potential. The company is handling international rights while North American representation is managed by WME Independent, reflecting a clear division-of-territory strategy typical of prestige independent releases. CEO Gabrielle Stewart has publicly articulated a mandate centered on originality and emotional resonance, with recent representation skewing toward complex female characters navigating themes of violence, maternal instinct, and obsession.

Recent titles on HanWay's slate include "Hey Bear," introduced to buyers at AFM, and acquired projects "The Julia Set" (October 2025) and "Extra Geography" (January 2025). The company's market approach aligns with the broader industry trend toward female-driven prestige drama with morally ambiguous protagonists, and its festival-and-market sales strategy positions titles for awards-season consideration.

Sellers seeking international representation should approach HanWay with finished scripts or packages that demonstrate clear originality, a distinctive tonal register, and ideally some degree of talent attachment. The company's public statements and recent slate suggest a preference for projects that can travel across multiple international territories on the strength of concept and character rather than franchise recognition.

Signature peaks

  • 25 Slate Activity (12mo) — Total tracked records in the past 12 months
  • 2 Recent Acquisitions — Titles acquired: "The Julia Set" (Oct 2025) and "Extra Geography" (Jan 2025)
  • AFM Market Presence — Actively introducing titles to buyers at the American Film Market

Mandate dimensions

Genre focus
drama
Territory focus
International (HanWay); North American (WME Independent)
Budget tier (observed)
Not disclosed
Access pattern
HanWay Films is most reliably accessed at major international film markets, with AFM confirmed as an active deal-making venue. Direct outreach to the London-based team is appropriate for projects at script or package stage. CEO Gabrielle Stewart is the primary public-facing executive; 27 decision makers are tracked across the company, suggesting a team with meaningful coverage depth. Projects should arrive with a clear originality hook and, ideally, some talent attachment, consistent with the company's stated positioning.
Deal structure
HanWay structures deals as the international sales agent, retaining international rights while North American rights are handled by a separate partner (WME Independent on recent projects). Budgets on recent acquisitions have not been disclosed. The company operates on a festival-and-market sales model, introducing titles to territory buyers at events such as AFM. Pre-sales on independently financed projects appear to be a core mechanism, with star-driven packages used to anchor buyer interest across territories.

Recent representations

  • Extra Geography

    2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • The Julia Set

    2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

Market context

"There is nothing more thrilling than coming across a project that breaks barriers in terms of originality." — Gabrielle Stewart, CEO, HanWay Films

Aligns with market trend toward female-driven prestige dramas with complex, morally ambiguous characters; positions within awards-season strategy through festival/market sales approach

Common questions about HanWay Films

What kinds of films does HanWay Films represent for international sales?

HanWay Films represents independently financed, high-concept prestige features with international appeal. Recent slate activity points to a focus on complex female characters exploring themes of violence, maternal instinct, and obsession. The company has handled international sales on star-driven projects, including "Hey Bear," which features Mia Goth, Dan Stevens, and Zach Galifianakis, and has acquired titles such as "The Julia Set" and "Extra Geography" within the past year.

Does HanWay Films do pre-sales, and how does that process work?

HanWay operates within a pre-sales and market-introduction model typical of international sales agents. "Hey Bear" was introduced to buyers at AFM, indicating the company actively uses major markets as launchpads for pre-sales on independently financed projects. Budget terms for recent acquisitions have not been disclosed publicly. Projects with strong talent packages and original concepts appear best positioned to attract HanWay's pre-sales interest.

Which markets does HanWay Films attend to sell films?

AFM (American Film Market) is a confirmed active market for HanWay, where the company introduced "Hey Bear" to international buyers. As a leading international sales agent, HanWay is broadly expected to operate across major industry markets. The company's festival-and-market sales approach is noted as central to its awards-season strategy, suggesting Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto are also likely touchpoints, though specific recent activity at those markets is not confirmed in available reporting.

How do I reach HanWay Films or submit a project for representation consideration?

HanWay Films is based in London and operates as a standalone international sales company. CEO Gabrielle Stewart is the primary public-facing decision maker, with 27 decision makers currently tracked across the organization. The company's public positioning emphasizes originality and emotional resonance, so submissions should lead with a strong concept and, where possible, talent attachment. Approaching the company at major markets such as AFM is a documented access pathway, as is direct outreach to the HanWay team.

What are HanWay Films' strongest territories for international sales?

HanWay handles international rights broadly, with North American rights on recent projects managed separately by WME Independent. This division suggests HanWay's core strength lies across European, Asian, and other non-North American territories. The company's prestige drama slate and awards-season positioning indicate particular traction in territories with strong appetite for festival-circuit titles, though specific territory-by-territory performance data is not disclosed in available reporting.

Is HanWay Films actively acquiring and representing new projects right now?

Yes. HanWay's latest tracked signal is dated May 2026, with 25 records logged over the past 12 months. The company acquired "The Julia Set" in October 2025 and "Extra Geography" in January 2025, and introduced "Hey Bear" to buyers at AFM. CEO Gabrielle Stewart has made recent public statements underscoring the company's appetite for original, barrier-breaking projects, signaling active engagement with new material rather than a period of consolidation.

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